Body stretch pose assisting strap and related method

ABSTRACT

A body stretch pose assisting strap is elongated and flexible and configured to be wrapped around a portion of an arm or leg of a user. A fastener is associated with the strap for selectively attaching and detaching the strap to the arm or leg of the user. A grip loop extends from the strap, enabling the user to hold the loop while performing a body stretch or pose.

DESCRIPTION Related Application

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/294,500, filed on Dec. 29, 2021.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to movement, balance, stretchand pose driven exercise devices. More particularly, the presentinvention is directed to stretch pose assisting straps that may be usedin connection with yoga, Pilates, and other stretching exercises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many kinds of yoga, as well as many reasons to practice yoga.The focus is on balance, strength, flexibility, and coordination on bothsides of the body. The benefits of yoga are not to perfect the practice,but to achieve proper alignment with modifications as needed. There aremany types of yoga including: Vinyasa, Hatha, Lyengar, Kundalini,Ashtanga, Bikram, Yin, Restorative, Prenatal, Anusara and Jivamukti. Allinvolve body-mind-breath work alignment.

A fundamental part of yoga, in its simplest form, is the mindfulmovement of the body into and out of poses in varying combinations ofmovements. For example, the body forward bends, backward bends, twistsright and left, bend from side to side right and left, and extends,stretching from head to toe. Moving with symmetry is an important aspectof all yoga; doing movements and poses on both sides of the body.

Yoga postures are based and taught that the postures are built from thefoundation up, analogous to the building of a house. The definition of“foundation” for this purpose is the part of the body touching thefloor. There are basically two kinds of foundations: 1) down on thefloor, for example, prone, supine or sitting; and 2) up off the floor,for example standing, balancing, mountain, kneeling, headstand, elbowstand, handstand, shoulder stand. There are over one thousand yogapostures. Standing balancing poses need a good foundation so that thepractitioner doesn’t fall out of alignment or lose stability in weaknessor age.

Yoga poses can be challenging and may be held for long periods of time.Some poses may require the practitioner to reach for areas of their bodyor grasp on body parts to better balance. These movements might requiresome type of extension prop to get into and/or keep alignment.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a stretch pose strap, foruse in yoga, Pilates and the like, which is readily accessible and doesnot create a disruption the flow or practice or routine. The presentinvention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resides in a body stretch pose assisting strapwhich enables a user to reach for areas of their body to perform astretch, hold a pose, and to provide balance to the user whileperforming the stretching and/or pose exercise, such as in yoga, Pilatesand the like.

The body stretch pose assisting strap comprises an elongated, flexiblestrap configured to be wrapped around a portion of an arm or leg of auser. The strap may be configured to be wrapped around and attached toan ankle of the user. The strap may be between 6 and 24 inches in lengthand 1 and 4 inches in width.

A fastener is associated with the strap for selectively attaching anddetaching the strap to the arm or leg of the user. The fastener maycomprise hook and loop tape extending a length of the strap.

A grip loop extends from the strap, enabling the user to hold the loopwhile performing a body stretch pose. The grip loop may extend from anend of the strap. The grip loop is configured to receive one or morefingers of the user therein. The grip loop may be between 1 and 6 inchesin width.

An extension strap includes a connector for detachably connecting theextension strap to the grip loop of the strap so as to extend away fromthe strap. The connector may comprise hook and loop tape disposed alonga length of the extension strap. The extension strap has an extensiongrip loop extending therefrom, enabling a user to hold the extensiongrip loop of the extension strap while performing a body stretch pose.

In accordance with the method for assisting body stretching poses, inaccordance with the present invention, the elongated and flexible straphaving a grip loop extending from the strap and a fastener is provided.The strap is wrapped around a portion of an arm or leg, such as anankle. The fastener is secured to attach the strap to the portion of thearm or leg. The user grasps the grip loop to hold a stretching pose. Theuser may grasp the grip loop by inserting one or more fingers within thegrip loop.

An extension strap having an extension grip loop may be attached to thestrap so as to extend therefrom. A portion of the extension strap isinserted through the grip loop of the strap, and a connector is closedenabling the user to hold an extension grip loop of the extension strapwhile holding a stretch pose.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a body stretch pose assistingstrap embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the strap of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged and fragmented perspective view of a grip loop ofthe strap;

FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view illustrating the strap in a foldedconfiguration with the grip loop extending therefrom, in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a user with the straps of thepresent invention attached to her ankles and holding a stretch or poseusing the strap, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating attachment of anextension strap, in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 , illustrating theextension strap attached to the strap and extending therefrom inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the accompanying drawings, for purposes of illustration, thepresent invention is directed to a strap, generally referred to by thereference number 100, for use during stretching and/or holding poses,such as yoga, Pilates and related exercises. The strap 100 of thepresent invention is configured and designed to be detachably connectedto a portion of a user’s body so as to be mobile and accessible tomaintain movement while practicing yoga, Pilates, etc. withoutdisruption.

With reference now to FIGS. 1-3 , a strap 100 embodying the presentinvention is illustrated in an unfolded and extended state. The strap100 is elongated and flexible and configured to be wrapped around aportion of an arm or a leg of a user. The strap 100 is typicallycomprised of a strip 102 of material which is flexible and havingcharacteristics to achieve the objectives of the present invention.While the strap 100 of the present invention may be comprised of anysuitable material, it has been found that a nylon webbing, such asgrosgrain-type nylon material, is suitable for use as the materialchoice for the strap 100. The strap 100, however, can be comprised ofvarious materials and still meet the objectives of the present invention

Typically, the strap is between 6 and 24 inches in length, and morepreferably between 10 and 20 inches in length, so as to be wrappedaround a portion of a body of a user, typically a portion of an arm orleg of a user, and more typically an ankle of the user. The strap may bebetween 1 and 4 inches in width. The strap 100, however, may be longeror shorter or wider or narrower as needed. The strap 100, however,should be sufficiently long so as to be wrapped and secured around atleast an ankle of a user.

At least one fastener is associated with the strap 100 for selectivelyattaching and detaching the strap 100 to the arm or leg of the user. Thefastener may comprise snaps, slides, etc. However, in a particularlypreferred embodiment, as illustrated, the fastener comprises sections ofhook and loop tape 104 and 106 which are detachably connected to oneanother. The hook and loop tape 104 and 106 may comprise multiplesections or an elongated section, and extend along a length of the strap100 so as to secure the strap 100 around an object, such as an arm orleg, and more particularly an ankle, of a user. While the fastener couldcomprise any fastener, including any attachment and/or adjustablefitting mechanism, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the hook andloop closure material 104 and 106 is utilized as it allows for a customsnug and comfortable “universal” fit around the user’s ankle or otherbody part.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-3 , a grip loop 108 extends fromthe strip 102 forming the strap 100. The grip loop 108 may be formed orattached to an end of the strip 102, as illustrated. The grip loop 108may be attached to the end of the strap by folding an end of the stripof material through and over the loop 108 and adhering, or otherwisefastening, such as X Center Stitching or the like 112, to securelyfasten the grip loop 108 to the end of the strip of material 102 formingthe strap 100. The grip loop extends from the strip of material 102,such as extending generally transverse to a long axis or the planarportion of the strip of material 102, as illustrated.

The grip loop is configured to enable the user to hold the grip loopwhile performing a body stretch pose when the strap is attached to aportion of the body of the user. The grip loop 108 may extend from anend of the strap 100, as shown, or intermediate the ends. The grip loop108 is comprised of a substantially durable material so as to be graspedand pulled by the user. The grip loop 108 may be comprised of the samematerial as the strip 102 forming the strap 100.

The grip loop 108 is sized and configured so as to receive one or morefingers of the user therein so that the user can grip or grasp the griploop 108. The grip loop 108 may be between 1 and 6 inches in width. Thegrip loop may be approximately 2 inches in radius, and between 3 and 4inches when folded in half and approximately ½ to 1 inch in width. Itwill be appreciated, however, that the grip loop 108 may be of varyingsizes or even configurations so long as the user is able to grasp thegrip loop 108, such as with his or her fingers, so as to hold and evenpull on the grip loop 108 for balance and stretching purposes.

With reference now to FIG. 4 , the strap 100 is shown in a wrapped orfolded and closed configuration. This may be done, for example, fortransportation and storage purposes. The strap 100, however, when in useis intended to be detachably connected to a body part of interest, suchas a user’s ankle or another portion of the user’s leg, arm, etc. Thestrip of material 102 forming the strap 100 is wrapped around an object,such as a portion of a user’s body, or folded upon itself until thefasteners or closure mechanism, such as the hook and loop tape 104 and106 coming into gripping contact with one another, so as to secure thestrap 100 to the object or in a folded position, as illustrated in FIG.4 .

With reference now to FIG. 5 , a diagrammatic view of a user 10 is shownwith the strap 100 of the present invention attached to the user’s ankle12. This is done by encircling the strap 100 around the ankle 12, orother body part, such as by wrapping the strap 100 around the ankle orother portion of an arm or leg of the user 10 and securing the fastenerto attach and secure the strap onto that portion of the arm and leg,such as an ankle 12, as illustrated. FIG. 5 illustrates a strap 100attached to both ankles of the user, which enables the user to performstretches, poses, etc. with either ankle or leg without the need ofdetaching and reattaching the strap 100. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , theuser grasps the grip loop 108 with his or her fingers 14 in order tohold a stretching pose. As can be seen in FIG. 5 , the gripping loop 108extends outwardly, such as generally transversely, from the attachedstrap 100 so that it is easy to be grasped and gripped by the user 10.This allows for the user to reach for the grip loop 108 anytime theyneed during the exercise without disruption.

The strap 100 of the present invention may be used during yoga inpositions like dancers pose, tree pose, forward fold, boat pose,pyramid/side angle and other positions where a fixed strap would beuseful and handy. The strap 100 of the present invention may also beused by those who are fairly new to yoga, or are looking to incorporatestretching exercises into their routine or are looking to modify theirexisting practice to get into and/or hold a pose. For example, thoseusers who cannot reach their toes may instead grasp and reach and holdthe strap 100 of the present invention, whether the strap be attached totheir ankle or higher up on the leg.

The strap 100 of the present invention can be attached to an ankle,feet, wrists, or other body parts that align with the pose needs. As thestrap 100 is adjustable in length and fitting, it can be used by a widevariety of different sized individuals and used on different portions ofthe user’s body. The grip loops 108 may be longer or shorter. The strap100 may be directly placed onto the body part or even over a user’spiece of clothing, such as a sock, pant leg, etc.

With reference now to FIGS. 6 and 7 , in some cases a user may havedifficulty reaching for the grip loop 108 of the strap 100 whenperforming the stretch pose or other exercise. This may be due to thelack of physical fitness, flexibility or the user being a novice to theexercise, or a particular pose or stretch. In these cases, an extensionstrap 200 may be attached to the strap 100 so that the user may moreeasily grasp the extension strap. The extension strap 200 is comprisedof a length of a strip of material, which may be similar in size,configuration and material as strap 100. The extension strap 200 ispreferably comprised of a flexible yet durable material, such as nylonwebbing or the like such that the user can tug and pull on the strap 200without damaging it. The extension strap 200 is comprised of a strip 202of material of a sufficiently small width so as to be inserted throughthe grip loop 108 of the strap 100, as illustrated in FIG. 6 .

The extension strap 200 includes a connector or fastening mechanism fordetachably connecting the extension strap 200 to the grip loop 108 ofthe strap 100. Such a connector may comprise a variety of connectors,such as snaps, buckles, etc., however, in a particularly preferredembodiment, the connector comprises strips of hook and loop tape 204 and206 which are attached to a length of the strip of material 202 andwhich can be securely brought into connective contact with one another,as illustrated in FIG. 7 . The extension strap 200 has an extension griploop 208 attached to the strap 200 so as to extend outwardly therefrom,as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 , to enable a user to insert his or herfingers therethrough and grasp the extension grip loop 208 in order tohold a stretching pose.

When attached and secured to the strap 100, the extension strap 200provides an additional few inches of length extending from the grip loop108. Typically, the extension strap 200 will be several inches up to afoot in length so as to provide several inches of additional extensionfrom the grip loop 108 of strap 100 to enable the user to grasp theextension grip loop 208 to hold the stretching pose when the user mayhave difficulty reaching grip loop 108 during such a stretching pose. Itwill be understood, however, that the length of the extension strap 200can vary.

It will be appreciated that the body stretch pose assisting strap 100 ofthe present invention assists users in exercising so as to maintainbalance, improve the intended stretch, maintain a pose hold or the like.A user may utilize a single body stretch pose assisting strap 100 andmove the strap to the desired portion of the body. However, in aparticularly preferred embodiment, a pair of straps 100 are used,typically one attached to each ankle, as illustrated in FIG. 5 , suchthat when the user changes the pose or position, the strap is alreadyattached to the user and it can be easily and readily grasped, allowingthe user continued mobility and continuation of the exercise routinewithout interruption.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposesof illustration, various modifications may be made without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the inventionis not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A body stretch pose assisting strap, comprising;an elongated, flexible strap configured to be wrapped around a portionof an arm or a leg of a user; a fastener associated with the strap forselectively attaching and detaching the strap to the arm or leg of theuser; a grip loop extending from the strap enabling the user to hold thegrip loop while performing a body stretch pose.
 2. The strap of claim 1,wherein the strap is between 6 and 24 inches in length and 1 and 4inches in width.
 3. The strap of claim 1, wherein the grip loop extendsfrom an end of the strap.
 4. The strap of claim 1, wherein the grip loopis configured to receive one or more fingers of the user therein.
 5. Thestrap of claim 4, wherein the grip loop is between 1 and 6 inches inwidth.
 6. The strap of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises hook andloop tape extending a length of the strap.
 7. The strap of claim 1,including an extension strap including a connector for detachablyconnecting the extension strap to the grip loop of the strap so as toextend away from the strap, the extension strap having an extension griploop extending therefrom enabling a user to hold the extension grip loopof the extension strap while performing a body stretch pose.
 8. Thestrap of claim 7, wherein the connector of the extension strap compriseshook and loop tape disposed along a length of the extension strap. 9.The strap of claim 1, wherein the strap is configured to be wrappedaround and attached to an ankle of the user.
 10. A method for assistingbody stretching poses, comprising the steps of: providing an elongatedand flexible strap having a grip loop extending from the strap and afastener; wrapping the strap around a portion of an arm or leg andsecuring the fastener to attach the strap on the portion of the arm orleg; and grasping the grip loop to hold a stretching pose.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the providing step includes the step ofproviding a strap that is between 6 and 24 inches in length and 1 and 4inches in width.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the providing stepcomprises providing a grip loop that extends from an end of the strap.13. The method of claim 10, wherein the grasping step includes insertingone or more fingers of a user within the grip loop.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the providing step comprises providing a grip loopthat is between 1 and 6 inches in width.
 15. The method of claim 10,wherein the fastener comprises hook and loop tape extending a length ofthe strap.
 16. The method of claim 10, including the step of attachingan extension strap having an extension grip loop to the strap.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, including the step of inserting a portion of theextension strap through the grip loop and closing a connector andenabling a user to hold the extension grip loop of the extension strapwhile holding a stretch pose.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein theconnector of the extension strap comprises hook and loop tape disposedalong a length of the extension strap.
 19. The method of claim 10,wherein the strap is wrapped around and attached to an ankle of theuser.